223. К игемону Картерию 158

An extremely deserted place - Kukuz; for all that, it does not so much sadden us with its desertion as it pleases us with silence and perfect tranquility. We found in this desert, as it were, a kind of haven, and now, living here, we take a break from the disasters of the road and, taking advantage of the tranquility, try to make amends for our tracks. illnesses and other evils that we had to experience. We say this to your lordship in the full conviction that you will be pleased to know about the relief of our situation. Moreover, we can never forget what you did for us there, eliminating that reckless and most absurd turmoil and at the same time using all measures and taking all means on your part to bring us safety. Glorifying you for this in front of everyone and everywhere, wherever we are, we bring you, my most honorable lord, deep gratitude for such care. But in order for us not only to enjoy your love, but also to rejoice at the news from you about your health, do us this favor too. Despite living in a foreign land, we will not be deprived of joy and consolation if we receive letters from your honor with this news. The paragraphs in the text were arranged by us. – Editorial staff of “ABC of Faith” “Hegemons” were the chairmen of the court of a famous district (tóu hgemonikóu dikasthríou), for example: hegemon of Libya, hegemon of Carius, hegemon of Neocaesarea. Lecturer Macarius of Egypt, discussing gradualism in the matter of moral improvement, among other things, says that this also happens in the relations of civil life: first a person learns the alphabet; then goes through the Roman school; having completed it completely, he again becomes a novice, entering the school of grammarians; Having done better than anyone else in this last school, he becomes a sophist and thus again becomes a novice and an inferior person among everyone involved in legal proceedings; having become the first among the sophists, he becomes hegemon,” etc. (See demon. 15, according to the Frankf. edition of 1594, p. 217). And in grace itself, he also says (ibid. demon. 16 p. 243), there are different degrees and dignities: another thing is a commander, a dignitary who has boldness before the king, and another thing is an hegemon.” You might be interested in: